[Bumped up for visibility.]

* Gov. Pat Quinn was chased down by reporters in Urbana today and eventually agreed to do a media availability. Our new friend Michael Kiser from WDWS Radio provided us with some raw audio. Listen…

* Quinn was asked about the decision by Jimmy John’s founder to leave Illinois because of the income tax hike. He said he hoped that wouldn’t happen and then went on and on about why the tax hike was necessary and temporary. He also talked about the new companies coming to Illinois and said, “We’re the capital of the Midwest, let’s not sell ourselves short… I’m not ever gonna bum rap our state. We have the best of the best and we always will.”

…Adding… Treasurer Dan Rutherford was on WLS AM just now talking about Jimmy John’s [The company’s founder contributed $100,000 to Rutherford’s campaign in the last election cycle]. Rutherford said he talked to the founder just before the show, and predicted that the “dramatic” tax hike would effect other companies. Rutherford said the owner was also upset about the state’s minimum wage increase.

* The governor was also asked about this story…

The acting Director of the Illinois State Police is out of a job.

Jonathon Monken was appointed to the post by Governor Pat Quinn in March 2009 but never received Senate confirmation.

According to Eric Madiar, attorney for Senate President John Cullerton, the governor’s office did not turn in paperwork that would have allowed Monken’s directorship to roll over into the new general assembly.

Thirty-seven others are in the same position, including Gladyse Taylor, who is over the Department of Corrections.

“I think this is much ado about nothing, frankly… [The Senate seems] to think they have to be reappointed, temporarily reappointed.” He said he would likely make those temporary appointments. Quinn said he wished that the Senate had acted on those appointees earlier. He defended Acting Director Monken as a “good man,” a “real leader,” and an “all-American hero.” But he wouldn’t say whether Monken would be reappointed.

* It’s not on the tape, but Gov. Quinn also said he wants input from the public before he decides what to do about the death penalty repeal bill sitting on his desk…

Gov. Pat Quinn says he’d like to hear from the citizens of Illinois before he decides whether to sign legislation that would abolish the death penalty in the state.

Quinn said he’s already weighing input from prosecutors, clergy and others on the bill passed this month by the General Assembly. The governor wouldn’t say when he’ll make a decision. He says he’s going through a period of what he called “reflection and review.”

* Related…

* Quinn: Senate should have acted on appointees

* Quinn stresses that tax increases are temporary

* Comptroller’s lawyers review Monken case

* ADM pledges $10 million to UI

* Despite the tax increase, Illinois remains the go-to state for employment - by Pat Quinn

* To the Land of Lincoln: Wisconsin is ‘Open for Business’ - by Scott Walker

* Social services back Senate bill on bonds sales

* Illinois Poverty News Weekly Update